Home>Project>Kids At Risk>Baptist Children & Youth Ministry

Kids at Risk

Project Profile

Baptist Children & Youth Ministry

Baptist Children & Youth Ministry (BCYM) gives hope to vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian children in Lebanon by inviting them to encounter the love of Jesus Christ, and play and learn in a positive environment. Support this project through financial contributions and prayer.

Cause:

Location

Field Staff:

Local Partner:

Baptist Children & Youth Ministry (BCYM)

The Situation

With the highest per capita population of refugees in the world, Lebanon continues to experience a strain on social services, infrastructure, and employment. Since 2019, more than half of the Lebanese population has been estimated to live below the national poverty line. Many Syrian and Iraqi children, including vulnerable Lebanese children, have a background of distress and war, and neglect and abuse. In this unstable environment, BYCM has been working diligently to improve the lives of vulnerable children by fulfilling their spiritual needs and further providing care for their physical and emotional needs. In partnership with CBM, BYCM counters prevalent negative messages and environments. With the help of volunteers from local churches, this program offers an opportunity for participants to be children again as they play, learn and build relationships in a positive environment.

Baptist Children & Youth Ministry (BCYM) gives hope to vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian children in Lebanon by inviting them to encounter the love of Jesus Christ, and play and learn in a positive environment. Support this project through financial contributions and prayer.

The Situation

With the highest per capita population of refugees in the world, Lebanon continues to experience a strain on social services, infrastructure, and employment. Since 2019, more than half of the Lebanese population has been estimated to live below the national poverty line. Many Syrian and Iraqi children, including vulnerable Lebanese children, have a background of distress and war, and neglect and abuse. In this unstable environment, BYCM has been working diligently to improve the lives of vulnerable children by fulfilling their spiritual needs and further providing care for their physical and emotional needs. In partnership with CBM, BYCM counters prevalent negative messages and environments. With the help of volunteers from local churches, this program offers an opportunity for participants to be children again as they play, learn and build relationships in a positive environment.

How We Are Helping

With the help of local and overseas volunteers, the program supports youth and children through various actions:

Sharing the Gospel

Children and youth gain knowledge of God’s love and the affirmation of their value through songs, teachings, activities, and pastoral care. Participants receive the opportunity to ask big questions they have about God.

Providing Valuable Recreation

In the 3-day overnight camp, participants are provided with entertainment in a Christian environment. They are kept active through sports and other activities such as hiking, ziplining and archery, and gain confidence and trust with the help of effective leaders trained by BCYM.

Reinforcing Support

Frequent one-day follow-up visits filled with songs, games and stories ensure previous messages and nurture relationships.

The Impact of Our Work

Amina lives with her family in Bekaa Valley where approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees live. After being forced to flee their lives in Syria, Amina’s father has struggled to find work because of health problems. The provision of food and other necessities from the local church has been a beacon of hope for the family. Since attending the camps and informal education center, Amina’s behaviour has changed greatly. Her attention span has grown and she now takes initiative to care for and guide younger children and helps lead worship. She hopes to continue attending events to learn more about Jesus and looks forward to becoming a teacher in the future

“I used to be lost in the world. Then last year, I came to BCYM camps and experienced God’s unconditional love. Now I will give my life to Jesus and be baptized next week!

Mahmoud

“This project has benefitted people in many ways. It has taught participants about the Lord and has brought them genuine happiness. With the children being deprived of seeing their friends and having their usual fun, the Camp in a Box materials let the kids be kids again. The boxes also allowed for family time. After long days of online schooling and work, some families have the chance to sit down together and work on the boxes. We are also thankful for the fact that this project has brought relief to parents since it came at a time of struggle and economic depression.”